Louisville leaders acknowledge they have work to do to compete for an employer like Amazon. While they weren't told directly why the region fell short, the company put a priority on a workforce with strong tech skills, a vibrant urban scene and travel.

Louisville is behind its peer cities in the region in many critical areas. We’re generally not as well-educated. We make less money on average and we have fewer people when compared with the metro areas of Indianapolis, Nashville and Columbus, Ohio.

Our air transportation from Louisville International Airport falls short of our three competitors significantly in choices for flights, so it’s no surprise that we also pay more on average to fly from here.

► Louisville: 35.7 percent of the population ages 25-64 have bachelor’s degrees, with 42.3 percent of the workforce in high-wage occupations. Median earnings: $31,200. Job creation rate (percentage of those created within the last 12 months): 14 percent

Source: Greater Louisville Project. Based on 2015 data, and for job creation, 2014

Nonstop flights and access

►Louisville: Nonstop service to 28 destinations with up to 78 daily departing flights. The average cost of a domestic flight: $395.

►Nashville: Nonstop service to 50 destinations with up to 225 daily departing flights. Average cost of a flight: $350

►Indianapolis: Nonstop service to 51 destinations with up to 145 daily departing flights. Average cost of a flight: $336

►Columbus, Ohio: Nonstop service to 37 destinations with 150 daily departing flights. Average cost of a flight: $353.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Professional sports and other amenities

► Louisville: No NBA, NFL, NHL professional sports, although leaders are pushing to build a stadium for Louisville City FC, a second-tier pro soccer franchise. The Kentucky Derby, the state's signature event, is credited with $400 million in economic impact.

► Nashville: NFL Tennessee Titans, NHL Predators. A rich heritage of country music, including the Grand Ole Opry and live club music, is a huge draw.

► Indianapolis: NFL Indianapolis Colts, plus the NBA Pacers. Minor league hockey and baseball, plus two second-tier pro soccer teams. The Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 are major events.